1981 Pearson 303 vs 2013 Elan 350 — Comparison
1981 Pearson 303
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 303 | 2013 Elan 350 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Elan |
| Year | 1981–1986 | 2013–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | William Shaw | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.46 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.8 m² (428 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 303 and 2013 Elan 350 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 303 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the 2013 Elan 350 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1981 Pearson 303 was penned by William Shaw. The 2013 Elan 350 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 303 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 2013 Elan 350 at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.46m beam. The 2013 Elan 350 is 1.53m longer than the 1981 Pearson 303. The 2013 Elan 350 displaces approximately 58% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 303 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.45 and 39.8 m² of sail area. The 2013 Elan 350, with an SA/D of 17.65 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2013 Elan 350 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1981 Pearson 303 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2013 Elan 350 has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1981 Pearson 303 and 30.3% for the 2013 Elan 350, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 303 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 2013 Elan 350 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Pearson 303 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 2013 Elan 350 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2013 Elan 350 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1981 Pearson 303 · 2013 Elan 350